and moscow says it's fighting ukrainian troops on its territory as the russian region of kursk is the scene of ukraine's cross—border incursion. let'sjoin my colleague maryam moshiri for all the latest on the olympics. marry it looks sensational behind you. what i'll let you get away with that. the sun has gone down. the sparkling eiffel tower and the sparkling maryam moshiri. the party isn't

here. and the party is at the stade de france — with the closing ceremony well under way. let's take a look at some of the highlights so far. these games have been a celebration of france — it's history and culture — and that's how it started. in front of the olympic flame, a rendition of �*sous le ciel de paris' — or, �*under the skies of paris', a classic tune from french icon, edith piaf. and then — the return of a new french icon. swimming superstar leon marchand takes the flame — and hands it off. we then moved north to the stade de france. it's been home to some epic athletics. tonight, it's a party. after a national anthem, flag bearers from the 206 countries represented at the games make their way through the stage. and then — the athletes!

we've seen a lot of dancing, a few medals — and plenty of selfies. all set to the tunes of — who else — some iconic french djs. let's ta ke let's take you through a couple more photos if we can. over the last hour we've seen fans from all over the world arriving. fans who have the hottest ticket in town tonight because the stadium has been lit up tonight. we're not sure else is in store, but there could be a few more surprises. the organisers behind that brilliant opening ceremony as well. joining me now are olympic superfans.

hello jess and hellojess and harry. you're back in the uk. you've been in paris. i wonder what team you're supporting, i'm confused? i think the picture may have frozen. we can see a picture of you in your team gb flags. i'm being told i can't say on you because you're frozen, and i don't mean that in a frozen sense, how are they still frozen? ok that's a shame. we'll getjess and harry back

in a second. we'll have a look at some brilliant iconic photos i caught up with some of the people behind the shots. ap photographers abbie parr and david goldman, they've been pretty amazing. i think this will go down as one of my most memorable assignments. and of all the olympics that i did, for a lot of reasons, this might be my most favourite. abby, you've had fun? it's been amazing. i was assigned primarily to covering gymnastics, so i was covering simone biles for a majority of the time here. and, abby, it's interesting you mentioned simone biles there because i want to talk to you about this photo that you've taken of the three gymnasts on the podium, including jordan chiles in bronze place. that medal has since been stripped from her. what an iconic photograph. tell me about that moment. yeah, being there in that moment, it gave me goose bumps. i mean, honestly, i got a little bit emotional seeing that happened because i could in the moment kind of see jordan signalling to simone. i wasn't really sure

what she was signalling her about, but i saw that they were kind of planning something. so when i saw them bowing down to rebecca, it wasjust incredible. i mean, it really made me emotional. and it's just what the olympics is all about. with athletes from all over the world coming together and supporting each other. and it was beautiful and honour to see in person. david, let's take a look at one of your photos. this is an absolutely beautiful scene in a french cafe bistro. itjust encapsulates, doesn't it, what paris has become? if you walk around the city, this is what it looks like. and it has that feel, doesn't it? gives me chills. you know, myjob at the olympics is a roamer. and to be a roamer, you sort of... you float around like a butterfly and you're not assigned to any particular sport. they use you maybe one day here if they need an extra person, or they tell you to go out and just sort of capture the pulse of the city, give people a sense of place. and those are very special days when you're sort of left to yourself alone and you can just go out and capture... you didn'tjust go out, did you, david? you jumped in the water. you were in the seine. yeah. there was a photo you've taken here of the seine,

but you actually went in the seine as well. what was that like? idid, yeah. and that was very challenging. i've done three olympics now where i've photographed in the water one of the open water swim events. but this was very unusual because it was the current that was the issue, and it was just a very fast moving river. so i wasn't worried so much about the health, bacteria people were talking about. it was more that i was worried i was going to float down the river and end up in the field of play. were you ok afterwards? any tummy troubles? no, i've been fine. that's great. yeah. so as all the athletes have been pretty much. right. yeah, yeah. and, abby, let's take a look at another photo of yours. and this one is of the romanian gymnast sabrina monica voinea. i wanted to ask you, how difficult is it to capture moments like this during a gymnastics event? because they are... you just don't know what they're going to do. yeah, right. it's something that i love covering gymnastics is how the photos canjust have such a big, a different range from what you're seeing in the images. so like with this photo, ijust,

i like being able to show off how flexible this gymnast is and just how incredible the moves are that we see. and i like tojust try to make photos that just look different than more thanjust the basic kind of gymnastics photos of someone doing stretching on the beam. but i like to really create images that show off how incredible these athletes are. gorgeous. you can't see part of her. itjust kind of looks quite mysterious. yeah. and david, there's another photo of yours, which i absolutely love, and that is of the iconic balloon. the cauldron, the flame cauldron. the colour of that sky. i've seen a few sunsets like that in paris over the last three weeks. so not the moment not the how was that for you? you've got the lamp in front of it. it's just beautiful. yeah, that was also a very special moment because i hadn't planned on covering the cauldron. that was the first night after the opening ceremonies, and i photographed the lighting of the cauldron the night before. and this, i'd just happened to stumble upon hundreds of people gathering at the tuileries garden, waiting to see this thing go up.

and there was this real moment of community and anticipation. and i love the guyjust standing, clinging to the lamp post, trying to get a view of it before it goes up. and when it did go up, there was this collective like, "ah", moment. i wish i could see that. i wish i could go and watch that. yeah, it was very special. it was a really, really special moment to be part of. now, you told me earlier, you've done five olympics, you've done three. how does paris compare in terms of organising sports? everything. you know, the whole feel of it. how does it compare to the ones you've done before? abby, if i can ask you first. it's been really special, seeing the amount of unity between the athletes. so specifically, like with that photo of mine with simone, andrea and jordan just seeing everyone coming together, especially after the last two olympics having been impacted by covid—19, i think it's been really special to see all the fans come together too and to really add to the atmosphere and to reallyjust make this a special one. fantastic. for me, this is a very special olympics. i mean, it's an iconic city. it was beautiful. everywhere you looked was a postcard. i think they did a terrific job of organising it. i was a little bit worried that there was no media

transportation, but that forced me to rent a bike for a month. and basically i spent a month biking around the city, taking pictures. was it one of those electric bikes? no it wasn't. i wanted to get some exercise. so you're super fit now, then? i hope so, but we'll see. people thought you were team usa fans? that is very strange. tell me about what your highlights were of the olympics. yes about what your highlights were of the olympia-— about what your highlights were of the olympics. yes we got back late last niuht the olympics. yes we got back late last night from _ the olympics. yes we got back late last night from paris _ the olympics. yes we got back late last night from paris we _ the olympics. yes we got back late last night from paris we saw - the olympics. yes we got back late last night from paris we saw the i last night from paris we saw the sailing. the women's football. the men's football. when we came up to

paris we saw the swimming and the athletics. the whole journey has been an absolute blast. we didn't want it to end.— want it to end. what was the best bit? all the _ want it to end. what was the best bit? all the countries _ want it to end. what was the best bit? all the countries coming - bit? all the countries coming toaether bit? all the countries coming together and _ bit? all the countries coming together and celebrating - bit? all the countries coming i together and celebrating sport. seeing people coming together for sport is, sort of, ijust loved it. i didn't want it to end. you sport is, sort of, ijust loved it. i didn't want it to end.- sport is, sort of, ijust loved it. i didn't want it to end. you put it all our i didn't want it to end. you put it all your content _ i didn't want it to end. you put it all your content on _ i didn't want it to end. you put it all your content on tick-tock - i didn't want it to end. you put it i all your content on tick-tock didn't all your content on tick—tock didn't you? what with the people wanting to watch more of? we you? what with the people wanting to watch more of?— watch more of? we were in the stadium when _ watch more of? we were in the stadium when they _ watch more of? we were in the stadium when they postponed l watch more of? we were in the i stadium when they postponed the athletics — stadium when they postponed the athletics that we were watching because — athletics that we were watching because everybody was cheering for

france _ because everybody was cheering for france having a national hero that was so _ france having a national hero that was so brilliant in the swimming. then_ was so brilliant in the swimming. then we — was so brilliant in the swimming. then we went to the semifinal with morocco _ then we went to the semifinal with morocco and spain and the moroccans invited _ morocco and spain and the moroccans invited us _ morocco and spain and the moroccans invited us in _ morocco and spain and the moroccans invited us in like we were one of their— invited us in like we were one of their own — invited us in like we were one of their own. we went to see the swimming _ their own. we went to see the swimming and we saw... we saw the athleticsm _ swimming and we saw... we saw the athletics... the whole thing has been _ athletics... the whole thing has been amazing. we athletics. .. the whole thing has been amazing.— athletics... the whole thing has been amazing. we need to give a shout out to _ been amazing. we need to give a shout out to the _ been amazing. we need to give a shout out to the volunteers - been amazing. we need to give a shout out to the volunteers and l been amazing. we need to give a i shout out to the volunteers and the police. they were brilliant. they took the experience to another level. ., �* ,., level. you're so right the volunteers _ level. you're so right the volunteers and _ level. you're so right the volunteers and the - level. you're so right the| volunteers and the police level. you're so right the - volunteers and the police have level. you're so right the _ volunteers and the police have been brilliant. tell me about the closing ceremony for those who are watching the news and not the closing ceremony. what were your highlights?

we've just watched the athletes come out and _ we've just watched the athletes come out and now the lights have been dirnrned — out and now the lights have been dimmed and everyone has their phones on, dimmed and everyone has their phones on. with— dimmed and everyone has their phones on, with their torches. we've been looking _ on, with their torches. we've been looking out— on, with their torches. we've been looking out for my friend who is in the closing — looking out for my friend who is in the closing ceremony, representing france _ the closing ceremony, representing france. just as they did with the opening — france. just as they did with the opening ceremony, it'sjust mind blowing — opening ceremony, it'sjust mind blowing i— opening ceremony, it'sjust mind blowing. i grew up in france and i am so— blowing. i grew up in france and i am so cloud— blowing. i grew up in france and i am so cloud of the country that raised — am so cloud of the country that raised me _ am so cloud of the country that raised me. because they've really done _ raised me. because they've really done this— raised me. because they've really done this olympics so brilliantly and really done itjustice. and it's and really done itjustice. and it's an honour— and really done itjustice. and it's an honour to watch and be a part of. harry— an honour to watch and be a part of. harry and _ an honour to watch and be a part of. harry and jess it has been lovely to speak of you. i'll leave you to enjoy the rest of the ceremony.

now, we've been enjoying the olympics here in paris — and we've enjoyed sharing it with you here on tv too. and through the power of social media, paris 2024 is finding a whole community online, too. creators are sharing viral moments, powerful performances — and revealing the unique stories that we might not get to hear about. i've been speaking to "coach jackiej" — with more than 500,000 followers on tiktok, she's one of the biggest names in this space and has been in paris for the games. she talked me through some of her most—watched videos of the olympics. ijust i just posted one ijust posted one recently about the beach volleyball match. there was a bit of a fight at the net in the middle of the match. the dj over the

speaker played imagine byjohn lennon. and it was so funny. and everyone but hands and hearts and it was a really cool story. there was a story about a bmx racer who won gold... she goes to the 2021 olympics and has a crash... and comes out in 2024 and does so well and winds every race and eventually the gold. and there is another one who did well an american, who was only set to do the indoor track cycling at this olympics and then at length last minute one of the road cyclists dropped out... she only

started cycling seven years ago, she came in the middle of the pack in the race and in the last few minutes she took the gold in array she wasn't even supposed to be in. those are moments — wasn't even supposed to be in. those are moments that _ wasn't even supposed to be in. those are moments that really _ wasn't even supposed to be in. those are moments that really make - wasn't even supposed to be in. those are moments that really make an - are moments that really make an olympics. what do you think it has been like in france. what how have the olympics in view? it’s been like in france. what how have the olympics in view?— the olympics in view? it's really something _ the olympics in view? it's really something to — the olympics in view? it's really something to be _ the olympics in view? it's really something to be in _ the olympics in view? it's really something to be in a _ the olympics in view? it's really something to be in a place - the olympics in view? it's really. something to be in a place where people are all cheering for the same thing. i was watching where we were all cheering for our country and in the end it was a stadium of thousands of people cheering for one quy- thousands of people cheering for one guy. those moments have been

incredible. it’s guy. those moments have been incredible-— incredible. it's time to go to a another content _ incredible. it's time to go to a another content creator - incredible. it's time to go to a another content creator for i incredible. it's time to go to a i another content creator for bbc news. now it's time for a look at all of today's sport with chetan pathak full stop all the medals won done so in the most extraordinary way. this is what happens in the women's basketball final. the hosts did this. they thought they had levelled with the very next move. only for the basket to have been worth two meaning that france lost by a single point. meaning that the usa finish

top of the medal table. the first of 13 goals one here by the netherlands. this was in the women's marathon. 26 mild in the city of paris. an olympic record time. she took bronze in the five, and 10,000 metre events. britain britain won bronze in the weightlifting. in addition to the silver that she won in tokyo. with

all of that taken into account on the final day. the united states went top, overwhelmingly ahead of the chinese. australia fourth. the hosts, france, fifth. great britain finishing in seventh place. across the english channel, and chelsea have confirmed the signing of portugal international pedro neto. the wingerjoins from wolves for a fee of £54 million, about $69 million. he's signed a seven—year contract and takes chelsea's summer spending

to over the $200 million mark. italy's matteo arnaldi is into the semi finals in the women's event in toronto, america's amanda anisimova, who returned to tennis at the end of last year following a ninth—month

graeme mcdowell has been suspended after violating the tour is anti—doping policy. and he has been fined. he will miss this week's eventin fined. he will miss this week's event in west . and that is all your sport for now. in the last hour president zelensky has tweeted that a fire has broken out on the site of the russian occupied zaporizhya nuclear power plant. he went on to say that radiation levels are normal and accused russia of using the facility

to blackmail ukraine. meanwhile the plant's russian management have said the fire has no impact on the site's safety and blamed it on ukrainian shelling. here in england, the funeral has taken place for the first of three young girls fatally stabbed at a taylor swift dance class in the north west town of southport. the service for nine—year—old alice dasilva aguiar was held at st patrick's catholic church in the town, where her parents were joined by family and friends. hundreds of people lined the streets as alice's coffin was brought to the church in a horse—drawn carriage. ribbons and balloons were tied to lampposts and garden walls, as fiona trott reports from southport: a public display of love. trying to ease a parent's private pain. alice's father carried her on his shoulder. but few fathers or mothers, have the strength to speak on a day like this.

instead, their words were read by alice's uncle. you moved our world with your confidence and empathy. being around you was a privilege. we cherished every milestone. you completed us. little alice knew nothing about politics and division. how confronting it was acknowledged here today. you have shown great courage in asking me to be here today, to speak, to give a message from you, alice's family, to say that you do not want there to be any more violence on the streets of the united kingdom, in the name of your daughter. i am ashamed, and i'm so sorry that you've had to even consider this in the planning of the funeral of your beautiful daughter, alice, and i hope that anyone who has taken part in the violent disorder on our streets over the past 13 days is hanging their heads in shame at the pain that they have caused you, a grieving family.

this is the last photograph taken of alice, the moment she went into the taylor swift dance class that day. but it's her love of dance, her outgoing personality that people are choosing to remember now. hey guys, today is me. i got my makeup on to test my teacher. look at this! and now, guys, but thank you for watching all my videos. alice was just nine, but today everybody learned about the impact she made in her short life. fiona trott, bbc news, southport. our correspondent chi chi izundu was at the funeral in southport. from start to finish.

this was an incredibly moving service as alice's coffin was brought by that horse drawn carriage. the streets here were lined with people who applauded it. also, as you can see, just behind me, the streets were lined with these pink ribbons as a homage to alice and her love of dancing. it's been a beautiful day. very sunny, very bright under these blue skies. the family insisted anything but black, so they wore white with pictures of a smiling alice on their t—shirts. they were moved by the number of people that attended today's service. it was broadcast to a lot of people outside, inside and around the streets so that they could take part. it was a moving service for the nine—year—old and yet all we have more to come. two people have died while trying to cross the english channel in a small boat.

the french authorities say fifty—four migrants were rescued after their boat got into difficulty, six miles north of calais. another fifty people were rescued from another boat. the terrible dangers of small boat crossings and we continue to do everything we can to prevent callous criminals exploiting vulnerable people". stay with us here on bbc news. hello there it's been a very warm day today for most of us it won't be for northern areas. we got the threat of rare heavy rain and lightning which could be bring some disruption tomorrow afternoon

through this evening and to the third part of the night a few thundery showers beginning to work out. thunder and lightning sweeps into... eastern scotland, a little bit cooler a warm and muggy night for sleeping. bit cooler a warm and muggy night forsleeping. but bit cooler a warm and muggy night for sleeping. but we sue see the back of the rain. these heavy rain and thunderstorms pushes across northern england to clear away with some sunshine following behind. further south the threat of storms is much, much lower a lot of sunshine around. and this is where we got the core of the humidity. the midlands and parts of the south—east getting up to 30 degrees. further west and further north things will be cooler and it will feel fresher. this sudden surge in heat has come

up this sudden surge in heat has come up from spain and from france. and all that heat will be pushed eastward across europe this week. and even the whole of western europe will tone cooler these coming days. those atlantic winds will steering from the atlantic and this will contain what is left of tropical storm debbie. we will see some light and patchy rain coming in from tuesday. ahead of that rain midlands still dry, still sane. not as hot or humid as monday. after that noisy start to the week with those thunderstorms and rain, things get back to normal. temperatures gradually slip away for the rest of the week.

this is bbc news. the closing ceremony of the paris olympics is under way in the stade de france, bringing down the curtain on more than two weeks of sporting drama that have thrilled the host nation and audiences around the world. i'm luxmy gopal in london — the other headlines today the family of nine—year—old alice da silva aguiar — one of three young girls killed in a knife attack in southport — release a photo taken just before

she took part in a taylor swift dance club — on the day of her funeral. and moscow says it's fighting ukrainian troops on its territory —— as the russian region of kursk is the scene of ukraine's cross—border incursion. now to the olympics, where the closing ceremony is in full swing. let's join my colleague maryam moshiri for all the latest. some people describe has the eiffel tower of presenters at. film some people describe has the eiffel tower of presenters at.— tower of presenters at. oh my goodness. _ tower of presenters at. oh my goodness, what _ tower of presenters at. oh my goodness, what do _ tower of presenters at. oh my goodness, what do i _ tower of presenters at. oh my goodness, what do i say? - tower of presenters at. 0h myj goodness, what do i say? stall tower of presenters at. oh my - goodness, what do i say? stall tall, stron: , goodness, what do i say? stall tall, strong, sometimes _ goodness, what do i say? stall tall, strong, sometimes sparkles. - goodness, what do i say? stall tall, strong, sometimes sparkles. lots l goodness, what do i say? stall tall, | strong, sometimes sparkles. lots of love to vou- — strong, sometimes sparkles. lots of love to you. welcome _ strong, sometimes sparkles. lots of love to you. welcome to _ strong, sometimes sparkles. lots of love to you. welcome to paris - strong, sometimes sparkles. lots ofj love to you. welcome to paris where it is the final celebration fitting of a wonderful three weeks of 2024 limericks. ——of a wonderful three weeks of the 2024 olympics. and the party is at the stade de france —

with the closing ceremony well under way. let's take a look at some of the highlights so far. these games have been a celebration of france — its history and culture — and that's how it started. in front of the olympic flame, a rendition of "sous le ciel de paris" — or, "under the skies of paris", a classic tune from french icon, edith piaf. and then — the return of a new french icon. swimming superstar leon marchand takes the flame — and hands it off. we then moved north to the stade de france. it's been home to some epic athletics. tonight, it's a party. after a national anthem, flag bearers from the 206 countries represented at the games make their way through the stage. and then — the athletes! we've seen a lot of dancing, a few medals — and plenty of selfies. all set to the tunes of — who else — some iconic french djs. as we keep an eye on the closing ceremony, let's talk a little bit about the olympics finishing today, because these olympics are over but

the paralympic games start in just over two weeks' time. there's a lot of excitement about them here in the city. earlier craig spence, from the international paralympic committee, told me it would be a games to remember. i think we can expect the most spectacular event, we have had the test event, everything is set here for a wonderful games, tremendous iconic venues, the athletes are going to be the best prepare they've ever been and i think we are going to see a really game changer event that does going to set the paralympic movement on a great course for la 2028. it’s paralympic movement on a great course for la 2028.— paralympic movement on a great course for la 2028. it's amazing how the olympics — course for la 2028. it's amazing how the olympics has _ course for la 2028. it's amazing how the olympics has gone _ course for la 2028. it's amazing how the olympics has gone from - course for la 2028. it's amazing howj the olympics has gone from strength to strength at every olympics. absolutely. the first parent but games were in 1960 in the games have grown bigger and better every addition. this games is going to go to an estimated cumulative audience and it's great to see and the athletic performance increases each

addition. we've got a pair olympians who will compete here whose times and distances would have been good enough to win olympic medals. that's the type of competition we will see here. �* the type of competition we will see here. . , ., ., the type of competition we will see here. . i. ., ., ,., the type of competition we will see here. . i. ., ., ., , here. are you worried about paris itself? having _ here. are you worried about paris itself? having travelled _ here. are you worried about paris itself? having travelled on - here. are you worried about paris itself? having travelled on the i itself? having travelled on the metro every day i see it's not as accessible as it could be in some areas. is that the worry for you? paris is one of the most historical beautiful cities, when it was built hundreds of years ago, accessibility was in front of mind. what the city of paris has done here as they cannot change the metro and seven years to make it fully accessible so what they have done is focus on overground transports, 100% of bus lines in the city are now accessible. a fleet of 1000 accessible. a fleet of 1000 accessible taxis to get around. do what's pair olympians do, let's not focus on what doesn't work, let's focus on what doesn't work, let's focus on what does. the focus on what doesn't work, let's focus on what does.— focus on what does. the closing ceremony _ focus on what does. the closing ceremony is _ focus on what does. the closing ceremony is this _ focus on what does. the closing ceremony is this evening. - focus on what does. the closing ceremony is this evening. he i focus on what does. the closing i ceremony is this evening. he told me as we were walking up to it that the same organisers are organising the opening ceremony to the paralympics

are we expecting something amazing? will be fantastic. for the first time in our history, the ceremony is outside of the stadium. we will be in the urban park for the olympics and 60,000 fans in there. and i'm counting down the days the 20th of august. i counting down the days the 20th of au~ust. ,, ., counting down the days the 20th of au~ust. ~ ., i. ., counting down the days the 20th of au. ust, ~' ., y., ., ., counting down the days the 20th of au~ust. ~ ., ., ., , ,. august. i know you love all olympic sorts and august. i know you love all olympic sports and parent _ august. i know you love all olympic sports and parent exports, - august. i know you love all olympic sports and parent exports, but i august. i know you love all olympic sports and parent exports, but if. sports and parent exports, but if you had to pick one that you really advise people to watch, what would it be? . . , �* , ., it be? the athletics men's long “um - , it be? the athletics men's long “um, a it be? the athletics men's long jump. a single _ it be? the athletics men's long jump. a single leg _ it be? the athletics men's long jump, a single leg amputee i it be? the athletics men's long| jump, a single leg amputee and his world record would have won him every single olympic title since barcelona 92, that is how good he is. ., ,, , . talking to me about the paralympics. i want to bring back our mascot, i have held hib and been closed with him these last two weeks and to let you know that i will be retiring him after these olympics. he will be going back home to my kids. i don't

know what will happen to him. maybe i willjust leave him here in paris where he belongs, but what he symbolises for these olympics is obviously, you know, he commemorates the very famous iconic french hat you see on so many different models and statues around france, including on napoleon, one of the things he symbolises is equality and all of those things that transcend freedom and all of those things that france holds very dear. that's one of the things they wanted to bring forward when they designed him. he is very fun and pretty and cute but he also has a very serious meaning, so i will put you down there. we talked about the paralympics, haven't we? that the sport doesn't end there. we are going to go from summer to winter, yes, the winter olympics will take place in milan in 2026, only 18 months away. is italy ready? that's a question i put to the head of the winter games.—

winter games. there's many challenges- _ winter games. there's many challenges. some _ winter games. there's many challenges. some we i winter games. there's many i challenges. some we probably will not even know right now. they may come in the world is changing every day. for us, it's a new model for the games for the first time to cities, notjust one in the name of the games and we decided since we opened up to several locations in the mountain so that we find the perfect infrastructure, our main challenge is to involve everything at the same level so you find the same level of excitement and a great experience for the athletes, for the spectators in milan and everywhere else. but there's talk that the centre could be based on the way overin centre could be based on the way over in lake placid on the other side of the atlantic. there is talk about. that be something you are

considering. listen, we are building a centre, the government made that decision and we really supported at this we are monitoring the construction and it's really going well. we are quite optimistic that it will be ready. i think that's the best for the athletes imagine the athletes being somewhere else such an important experience and the fans in the spectators. we really wish it will be there, but we never know, so we were asked to look for alternative plans and lake placid is one of the potential, but we really want them to be in cortina with the other athletes.— want them to be in cortina with the other athletes. looking ahead, what lessons could _ other athletes. looking ahead, what lessons could you _ other athletes. looking ahead, what lessons could you have _ other athletes. looking ahead, what lessons could you have learned i other athletes. looking ahead, whatj lessons could you have learned from the winter olympics in beijing? it was such a different circumstance and not only because of covid but also because of the cultural

relationship of the mountains. more similarities between italy and paris evenif similarities between italy and paris even if it's winter versus summer event from italy to beijing. so we think milan, it is a big urban city with european flavours. we have the fantastic backdrops of the alps, so the winter games come back to the alps after three additions, so we think that the alps is the home of winter sports and we want them as a beautiful backdrop. that winter sports and we want them as a beautiful backdrop.— beautiful backdrop. that was andrea varne a. beautiful backdrop. that was andrea varnev a- and _ beautiful backdrop. that was andrea varney a. and our _ beautiful backdrop. that was andrea varney a. and our reporter- beautiful backdrop. that was andrea varney a. and our reporter and i varney a. and our reporter and producer who has been with me for the last two weeks, you were there with me interviewing, we were at italy house, team italy's house and what a building. italy house, team italy's house and whata building. it italy house, team italy's house and what a building. it was amazing. the italians do what a building. it was amazing. tue: italians do things what a building. it was amazing. t'te: italians do things with so what a building. it was amazing. tte: italians do things with so much style. you walked in and felt, yes, this is where the italians are chic and stylish. lovely food and drink.

they showed us around. they have lots of lovely sponsors who have given nice things. we have that lovely chat. given nice things. we have that lovely chat-— given nice things. we have that lovel chat. ., j ., , , lovely chat. team gb house is quite nice as well- — lovely chat. team gb house is quite nice as well. do _ lovely chat. team gb house is quite nice as well. do you _ lovely chat. team gb house is quite nice as well. do you remember i lovely chat. team gb house is quite l nice as well. do you remember going there? , ., ., ., . ., , ~ there? yes and nora williams. and this silver medals _ there? yes and nora williams. and this silver medals as _ there? yes and nora williams. and this silver medals as well. - there? yes and nora williams. and this silver medals as well. and i this silver medals as well. and doesn't that feel like such a long time ago? that was right at the beginning of the games and now here we are at the very end. truth? beginning of the games and now here we are at the very end.— we are at the very end. why do the insects always _ we are at the very end. why do the insects always want _ we are at the very end. why do the insects always want me? _ we are at the very end. why do the insects always want me? they i insects always want me? they are literally not coming anywhere near you. but at least i am taller for you. but at least i am taller for you then now. let's talk about team america house because he went to team usa house. i went with ellen duncan, team usa house. i went with ellen duncan. and _ team usa house. i went with ellen duncan. and or— team usa house. i went with ellen duncan, and or other _ team usa house. i went with ellen duncan, and or other calorie i team usa house. i went with ellen duncan, and or other calorie care, and she found this brilliant story from 2021, those delayed winter olympic medals, they were rewarded earlier this week. we didn't get in,

we thought we were going to but then we thought we were going to but then we were just kept around the edges but we interviewed the medallist who had gone from silver to gold medallist and they were all there they said it was so strange for them because they are use to doing winter olympics and here they were in 30 degrees paris had a summer games but it is so amazing to see them finally given a gold medal.— it is so amazing to see them finally given a gold medal. what do you make ofthe given a gold medal. what do you make of the way that — given a gold medal. what do you make of the way that paris _ given a gold medal. what do you make of the way that paris has _ given a gold medal. what do you make of the way that paris has dealt - given a gold medal. what do you make of the way that paris has dealt with i of the way that paris has dealt with olympics? we have talked quite a bit about the olympic bubble. you don't really understand it unless you have been here, the feel of walking the streets has been different to other times i have been to the city. 100%. and i times i have been to the city. 10096. and i heard — times i have been to the city. 10096. and i heard somebody _ times i have been to the city. 10096. and i heard somebody mention i times i have been to the city. 10096. and i heard somebody mention it i and i heard somebody mention it earlier in one of those lovely montages that we've seen. it's the french emotion and passion and i really felt that since we have been here. they have been able to make you feel so involved with it. of her time and time again to bring these games to the people. i feel like we

both have felt that way that wherever you go there is a good atmosphere and people are just happy to be hosting the games again. france happens to be holding the games. everyone says these are the first non—cobit games, obviously and there is just first non—cobit games, obviously and there isjust a real sense first non—cobit games, obviously and there is just a real sense ofjoy and positivity. there isjust a real sense of 'oy and positivityd there isjust a real sense of 'oy and positivity. that will continue, wanted, and positivity. that will continue, wanted. for _ and positivity. that will continue, wanted, for the _ and positivity. that will continue, wanted, for the paralympics. i and positivity. that will continue, wanted, for the paralympics. we| and positivity. that will continue, i wanted, for the paralympics. we have interviewed quite a few people from the organising side of the paralympics and they have been so excited about what paris has to offer moving forward. t excited about what paris has to offer moving forward.— excited about what paris has to offer moving forward. i think the momentum _ offer moving forward. i think the momentum will _ offer moving forward. i think the momentum will really _ offer moving forward. i think the momentum will really stay i offer moving forward. i think the momentum will really stay with l momentum will really stay with them because we know they city will keep delivering for the paralympics. they've got 45,000 volunteers come as you mentioned, for the games, the olympics, and the paralympics. we know this atmosphere of this vibe isn't going to go anywhere for the paralympics. grace has been putting up paralympics. grace has been putting up with me for two and a half weeks. i don't know, you still ok? just about. iwill— i don't know, you still ok? just about. i will let _ i don't know, you still ok? just about. i will let her go - i don't know, you still ok? just about. i will let her go lie i i don't know, you still ok? justj about. i will let her go lie down i don't know, you still ok? just i about. i will let her go lie down in about. i will let her go lie down in a dark room. _

about. i will let her go lie down in a dark room. l — about. i will let her go lie down in a dark room, i think. _ about. i will let her go lie down in a dark room, i think. as - about. i will let her go lie down in a dark room, i think. as we i about. i will let her go lie down in a dark room, i think. as we have | a dark room, i think. as we have been saying, as the party in paris wraps up, let's turn our attention to the next summer olympics. we are going to hollywood, of course, an official handover event under way in la for a 2028, and i'm so excited to say that joining the firm one of those events is none other than rapper flavor flav. so so good to speak to you. happy that you've been able to join us all the way from los angeles. tell me what the vibe it is like that is.— the vibe it is like that is. thank ou for the vibe it is like that is. thank you for having _ the vibe it is like that is. thank you for having me. _ the vibe it is like that is. thank you for having me. you - the vibe it is like that is. thank you for having me. you know. the vibe it is like that is. thank. you for having me. you know what the vibe it is like that is. thank- you for having me. you know what i'm saying? first of all ijust you for having me. you know what i'm saying? first of all i just want to say, thanks for having me with you guys and the vibe right now here is amazing. it is wonderful. it is a real great vibe here right now. horse real great vibe here right now. how excited are — real great vibe here right now. how excited are you _ real great vibe here right now. how excited are you about the games coming to la? to excited are you about the games coming to la?— excited are you about the games comin: to la? ., . ., coming to la? to excited right now, ou know coming to la? to excited right now, you know what _ coming to la? to excited right now, you know what i'm _ coming to la? to excited right now, you know what i'm saying? - coming to la? to excited right now, you know what i'm saying? i'm i coming to la? to excited right now, you know what i'm saying? i'm very| you know what i'm saying? i'm very excited. ijust got in from paris,

you know what i'm saying, and i'm going to lie, for my first time ever at the olympics i had a very, very amazing experience. i'm quite sure that i'm going to get the same experience once the games get here to la in 28. experience once the games get here to la in 2&— experience once the games get here tolain28. . to la in 28. what did you watch when ou were to la in 28. what did you watch when you were in — to la in 28. what did you watch when you were in paris? _ to la in 28. what did you watch when you were in paris? well— to la in 28. what did you watch when you were in paris? well i _ to la in 28. what did you watch when you were in paris? well i was - to la in 28. what did you watch when you were in paris? well i was in - you were in paris? well i was in paris, you were in paris? well i was in paris. as— you were in paris? well i was in paris. as you — you were in paris? well i was in paris, as you know, _ you were in paris? well i was in paris, as you know, i— you were in paris? well i was in paris, as you know, i sponsor. you were in paris? well i was in i paris, as you know, i sponsor the water polo team, and also i got to go for the rugby game, and i watched the girls when the bronze medal there. i went to the gymnastics events, and i got to see some biles win a gold medal there. it's been amazing, very amazing experience for me. �* ., ., , ., amazing, very amazing experience for me. �* ., ., y ., ~ amazing, very amazing experience for me. �* ., ., ,, ~ ~ amazing, very amazing experience for me. and what do you think la can learn from — me. and what do you think la can learn from paris _ me. and what do you think la can learn from paris in _ me. and what do you think la can learn from paris in terms - me. and what do you think la can learn from paris in terms of - me. and what do you think la can learn from paris in terms of how. me. and what do you think la can | learn from paris in terms of how it conducts itself with the olympic games? you saw the way that impairs they had many iconic landmarks? honestly, i hope that in la, things

will be a lot more closer together. laughter everything is far out there in paris, you know what i'm saying? you know, being out in paris, man, it was great, you know what i'm saying? the only thing that was annoying was a lot of the streets were blocked off, so if you didn't have the proper credentials to get next to the building, you had to park and walk a long, long distance to the venue. otherthan walk a long, long distance to the venue. other than that, walk a long, long distance to the venue. otherthan that, it walk a long, long distance to the venue. other than that, it was great. venue. other than that, it was areat. ., ., ., ., ., ., ., great. you have got a lot of love for our great. you have got a lot of love for your sponsorship _ great. you have got a lot of love for your sponsorship for - great. you have got a lot of love for your sponsorship for the - great. you have got a lot of love | for your sponsorship for the water polo team. how important is it that people like you invest in sport? without you they wouldn't have been able to continue in the way that they were and they have done ok and done well at the paris olympics. you know, i done well at the paris olympics. you know. i really _ done well at the paris olympics. lj’frl. know, i really feel like there should be a lot of other celebrities like myself, which i'm hoping that it will happen, that will step up to

the plate and help sponsor a lot of these olympic teams, because the united states government is definitely not doing it. and all of these teams right now are out there busting they buts and giving it their all and all to make the united states look good, and believe me come at the end of the day, not only do the athletes get the glory, but so does the government, you know what i'm saying? and i don't think the government really deserves it because they don't sponsor, they just take, take, take they are not giving back. so i really feel that the government really should step in, number one and helped out with these olympic athletes, but then also a lot of celebrities like myself, you know what i'm saying? may be opened up the door for them to come through and help sponsor. what is it going to mean for la to host the olympic games? what will it mean? and what kind of inspiration will it be for youngsters there as

well to want to take part in sports and represent their country's? i really think it's going to be a real big thing for la to sponsor the united states... to sponsor the olympics, period. you know what i'm saying? i think that a lot of people will learn a lot of power to sponsor olympics once it gets here to the united states to la coming out of saying? not only that but la could use it to. , ., ., ~' use it to. ok, listen, looking forward to — use it to. ok, listen, looking forward to la _ use it to. ok, listen, looking forward to la 2028. - use it to. ok, listen, looking. forward to la 2028. hopefully use it to. ok, listen, looking - forward to la 2028. hopefully we will speak to you then in a few years' time. you'll still be involved in women's water polo. fantastic. i involved in women's water polo. fantastic. , involved in women's water polo. fantastic— involved in women's water polo. fantastic. , , fantastic. i will be sponsoring the water olo fantastic. i will be sponsoring the water polo team _ fantastic. i will be sponsoring the water polo team to _ fantastic. i will be sponsoring the water polo team to the _ fantastic. i will be sponsoring the water polo team to the next - fantastic. i will be sponsoring the water polo team to the next five i water polo team to the next five years. so up until 2029. so you guys are going to be seeing me at all of the games. in are going to be seeing me at all of the game-—

the games. in the water, playing olo? do the games. in the water, playing polo? do you _ the games. in the water, playing polo? do you get _ the games. in the water, playing polo? do you get in _ the games. in the water, playing polo? do you get in the - the games. in the water, playing polo? do you get in the water i polo? do you get in the water and play yourself?— polo? do you get in the water and play yourself? yeah, i've gotta get back in the — play yourself? yeah, i've gotta get back in the water _ play yourself? yeah, i've gotta get back in the water and _ play yourself? yeah, i've gotta get back in the water and play - play yourself? yeah, i've gotta get back in the water and play with - play yourself? yeah, i've gotta getj back in the water and play with the girls, if they let me get a chance. not with the girls, not with the girls, ijust meant polo. let's keep it clean. this is the bbc. we will keep it clean. thank you so much for joining us. it's been lovely to speak to you. thanks for your. operation no doubt is now in progress. thank you for having me. operation no doubt is definitely one i want to be part of. an icon of our time, public enemy, you know, i grew up time, public enemy, you know, i grew up with flavour flav. so it's great to interview him. thank you to my producers for organising that. now, before i let you go, i want to let you know that the closing ceremony is carried on at the moment. it is still going. lots of celebration and partying i can see on the screen. a band playing. we are still waiting for the potential iconic tom cruise moment that everyone has been talking about and when that is going to happen. i will leave you briefly now and pass you back to my wonderful colleague who is in the studio. back to you. irlice

wonderful colleague who is in the studio. back to you.— studio. back to you. nice save there. what is going on in the rest of the world, we will bring you the latest news. in the last hour ukraine's president zelensky has tweeted that a fire has broken out on the site of the russian occupied zaporizhya nuclear power plant. he went on to say that radiation levels are normal and accused russia of using the facility to blackmail ukraine. meanwhile the plant's russian management have said the fire has no impact on the site's safety and blamed it on ukrainian shelling. what i can do is bring you something that's just come what i can do is bring you something that'sjust come through what i can do is bring you something that's just come through from the international atomic energy agency, they have tweeted to say that they are experts witnessed strong dark smoke coming from the nuclear power plant in the northern area following multiple explosions heard in the evening. they say the team was told

ljy evening. they say the team was told by the nuclear power plant of an alleged drone attack today on one of the cooling towers located at the site. no impact has been reported for nuclear safety. that has come from the international atomic energy agency in a tweet that has just come through. let's turn to the war in ukraine and the country's cross—border offensive. russia says its army will deliver a "tough response" and has acknowledged that ukrainian units have advanced deep into the western region of kursk, saying it's hit troops and equipment, around 30 kilometres from the border. it's the most serious attack by a foreign army on russian territory, since the second world war. a senior ukrainian security official has reportedly said thousands of troops are taking part in the kursk incursion, now in its sixth day. in his nightly address, president zelensky said the incursion was a response to russia launching almost two—thousand cross—border strikes at ukraine's sumy region over the summer. overnight at least two

people were killed in near kyiv, as russia carried out missile and drone attacks in six regions of ukraine. gordon corera reports: the russian flag is torn down and thrown on the ground, while that of ukraine rises in its place. for the first time since the second world war, russia has found its own territory invaded and occupied. in a move which caught moscow by surprise, ukraine has in the past week sent tanks and thousands of troops across the border, leaving destruction in their wake, an operation its president acknowledged for the first time last night. translation: i received several reports from commander in - chief syrskyii regarding the front lines and our actions to push the war onto the aggressor�*s territory. i am grateful to every unit of the defence forces, ensuring that ukraine is proving

that it can indeed restore justice and ensure the necessary pressure on the aggressor. tens of thousands of russians are now being hurriedly evacuated from the areas close to where ukraine is operating. some expressed shock and anger at their government for allowing this to happen. a stern faced vladimir putin met his top officials last week, and he has described the attack as a major provocation. this operation is a bold and maybe even risky gamble by ukraine. they've sent some of their best forces into russia here, you can see it in yellow. some are reported to be operating 20 miles over the border. the idea seems to be to force russia to respond by shifting its forces away from the front lines inside ukraine, here in red, where moscow has recently been making advances. but it's not clear if ukraine simply wants to strike a psychological blow or really plans to try and hold the territory.

russia's ministry of defence says it is repelling the attack. it's issued these pictures of ukrainian tanks being hit, although we've not been able to independently verify them. and overnight, ukraine said missiles fired by russia hitjust east of its capital, kyiv, killing two. but an intercepted ukrainian missile also fell on a russian apartment building in the city of kursk, injuring 15. that's another sign that a war launched by vladimir putin on ukraine is dramatically reaching into russia. gordon corera, bbc news. let's turn to the us now and the race for the white house. joe biden has given his first television interview since ending his re—election campaign three weeks ago. appearing on cbs news's sunday morning programme, the us president said the importance of defeating republican nominee donald trump had driven his historic decision to end his race for the white house.

well, look, the polls we had showed that it was a neck and neck race. it would have been down to the wire. but what happened was, a number of my democratic colleagues in the house and senate thought that i was going to hurt them in the races, and i was concerned if i stayed in the race, that would be the topic. you'd be interviewing me about, "why did nancy pelosi say... "why did so...?" and i thought it would be a real distraction, number one. number two, when i ran the first time, i thought of myself as being a transition president. i can't even say how old i am. it's hard for me to get out of my mouth. and...but things got moving so quickly it didn't happen. and the combination was that i thought it was a critical issue for me — still is, not a joke — maintaining this democracy, but i thought it was important

because, although it is a great honour being president, i think i have an obligation to the country to do the most important thing to do, and that is we must, we must, we must defeat trump. joe biden's first tv interview before ending his election campaign. north america correspondentjenny kumah sastoe biden spoke more about why he stepped down. it's three weeks since he made that announcement that he was stepping out of the race. a few days later, he addressed the nation from the oval office. but his address was widely criticised for not actually explaining why he was stepping down. he did make limited reference to it, saying it was time to pass the torch to the new generation, that nothing came in the way of saving democracy, and that includes personal ambition. but today's interview was significant because he addressed it more directly.

he admitted he was becoming a distraction. that calls for him to stand down, were dominating the headlines, and that members of his own party felt that he was going to damage the campaign. our north america correspondent there. returning to paris a little bit later. for more on the olympics closing ceremony which is still under way, so we will have more on that for my colleague in paris. stay with us shortly here on bbc news. hello there. it's been a very warm day today for all of us, but tomorrow some parts of the country could get even hotter. and i'll show you where in a moment. it won't be for northern areas, because here tonight and tomorrow morning we've got the threat of heavy rain, thunder, lightning and even some large hail that could bring some disruption further south where it's going to be dry. well, this is where we've got the core of the heat

and high humidity. and tomorrow afternoon in cambridgeshire, perhaps temperatures could reach 35 degrees. that'll easily be the hottest day of the year so far through this evening. in the first part of the night, many places still dry with clear skies. few thundery showers are beginning to break out, running northwards, but the really wet weather, gusty winds, thunder and lightning sweeps into northern ireland later in the night and towards western scotland by tomorrow morning. eastern scotland a little bit cooler the rest of the uk. it's an uncomfortably warm and muggy night for sleeping, but we soon see the back of the rain from northern ireland. sunny skies follow. this heavy rain and thunderstorms pushes across scotland, perhaps northern england, to clear away during the afternoon, with some sunshine following on behind. further south, the threat of storms is much, much lower. there'll be a lot of sunshine around and this is where we've got the core of the heat and humidity. midlands parts of eastern england, temperatures in many places getting over 30 degrees further west and further north. things are going to be quite a bit cooler and it will feel fresher,

particularly after all that wet weather sweeps through. now this sudden surge in the heat has come up from spain and from france. but all that heat is getting pushed eastwards across europe this week, and even the whole of western europe will turn cooler over the coming few days as we get atlantic winds arriving as well. and those atlantic winds are steering in this weather system from the atlantic. that area of low pressure actually contains a little bit of what's left of tropical storm debbie. that brought all the rain in the eastern side of the us. we're going to see some lighter, more patchy rain coming into western areas on tuesday, the winds picking up a bit as well. but ahead of that rain the midlands and eastern england still dry, still sunny, not as hot or as humid as monday, but it is going to be a very warm day on tuesday. but after that noisy start to the week with all those thunderstorms and heavy rain and the heat and humidity, things get back to normal. the temperatures gradually slip away over the rest of the week, but it's still unsettled.

live from paris, this is bbc news. the closing ceremony of the paris olympics is under way in the stade de france, bringing to an end more than two weeks of sporting drama that have thrilled the host nation and audiences around the world. i'm luxmy gopal in london — the other headlines today the family of nine—year—old alice da silva aguiar ——

one of three young girls killed in a knife attack in southport — release a photo taken just before she took part in a taylor swift dance club — on the day of her funeral. a fire has broken out at a nuclear power plant in southern ukraine — kyiv and moscow have blamed each other for the incident. amid ongoing warnings of a wider escalation in the middle east, there's mounting concern about an increasingly unstable situation in the west bank. let'sjoin my colleague maryam moshiri for all the latest on the olympics. mariam machinery how do you top speaking to flavor flav. in 2028 the olympics move over to los